Russian Bill Upsets Antipiracy Groups

A bill being considered by Russian lawmakers has antipiracy groups up in arms, saying it would worsen the country’s already terrible record of enforcing intellectual property rights. Russia’s current laws include protections for rights holders, but enforcement of those laws is poor. Antipiracy groups say music and software piracy in Russia costs U.S. businesses $1.8 billion annually. The new bill would replace all existing statutes covering intellectual property. Olga Barannikova of the Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights said the bill is rife with problems and will lead to even more piracy rather than aid the country’s antipiracy enforcement. “They may seem like small changes,” she said, “but they will cause chaos.” Barannikova faulted lawmakers for drafting the bill without consulting businesses or groups representing intellectual property rights.

San Jose Mercury News, 24 March 2006